More counties added to disaster list

Governor Beverly Perdue announced Saturday that five more counties have been added to the list for federal disaster assistance following Hurricane Irene - bring the total to 18.

The new ones are Greene, Jones, Nash, Warren and Wilson counties. The designation allows families and business owners to seek low-interest loans or grants to help them recover from the storm.

"We continue to aggressively pursue every bit of assistance we can provide for those who suffered losses from Hurricane Irene," Gov. Perdue said. "We want to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible."

Perdue also announced that nine more counties will receive public assistance. Those counties are: Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Greene, New Hanover, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Pitt and Wayne.

Hatteras residents can leave, return to island

Hatteras Island residents are now being allowed to leave for non-emergency reasons and return to their homes.

Dare County officials said Saturday that residents who want to leave must present a driver's license. They also must have a special pass that's available from Dare County social services at offices at county offices in Frisco and at the community center for the villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.

Residents are warned that their return could be congested if they go back to the island during the staged re-entry of residents scheduled for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Assistance

Perdue said the Governor's hurricane hotline is open for people who need help. Residents can call (888) 835-9966. The deaf and hard of hearing can call (877) 877-1765. More is also available at www.readync.org

Residents needing assistance can also call:

FEMA (800) 621-3362

Red Cross (800) 999-6828

Help is available in Dare County through Dare County Social Services and the American Red Cross. If you need this assistance call (252) 475-5655.